Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

1812-1853


Jan 01, 1812
The Franciscan priest Christoph Bernsmeyer (1777 – 1858) is forced by the German secularization process to leave his monastery in Münster. He goes to nearby Telgte to work in a parish.

May 24, 1844
The foundation stone is laid at "Auf der Hülle" near Telgte for the building of an orphanage on land that Fr. Bernsmeyer purchases from his own savings.

Jul 02, 1844
Fr. Bernsmeyer receives into the Third Order of St. Francis four Sisters who look after the sick in their own homes without payment.

Oct 13, 1847
The Franciscan Provincial Minister confirms the Constitutions drawn up by Fr. Bernsmeyer in accordance with the Rule of the Third Order.

Feb 29, 1848
Four Sisters, including the Superior Elisabeth Schlüter, travel to Silesia during a typhoid epidemic. Since the bishop of Münster does not permit the acceptance and care of orphans, a hospital is established at "Auf der Hülle".

Sep 28, 1848
The first convent is established in Freckenhorst.

Apr 04, 1849
The first convent is established in Silesia, in the town of Oppeln

Aug 21, 1849
On her return from Silesia, Sister Elisabeth Schlüter turns to the Sisters of Christian Charity in Paderborn, since she sees her vocation as caring for children.

Feb 19, 1851
Bishop Johann Georg Müller of Münster confers the charge of leading the Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Telgte on the Congregation of Compassion Sister, Josephine Elkmann.

Aug 21, 1849
On her return from Silesia, Sister Elisabeth Schlüter turns to the Sisters of Christian Charity in Paderborn, since she sees her vocation as caring for children.

Sep 16, 1853
King Friedrich Wilhelm IV grants the congregation state recognition and thereby the right to form bodies corporate.

Oct 19, 1853
The motherhouse is transferred from Telgte to Münster St. Mauritz.